Gabrielle Rockson

On May 19th 2022, I finally passed my driving test.

My driving journey began on my 17th birthday in 2017. The plan was to get my driving license “over and done with” so I could get my car and drive myself to Sixth Form. Unfortunately or fortunately, this didn’t work out. Unknown to me, I would end up going through a total of six driving instructors (for one reason or another), six driving tests and five years of trying to get my license “over and done with”.

Instead of driving myself to sixth form, I ended up entering university with two failed driving tests, and by 2019 I had failed three times.

After my third fail, I decided that I was going to take a break. I felt like I had been using my own strength to make it work, so I decided to rest in knowing that God would work it out when the time was right.

Then 2020 happened. In 2019, no one expected that something called the coronavirus (first detected in 2019) would cause the world to be in a global lockdown the following year. But it happened.

While many things became remote in March 2020, such as my uni lectures, driving schools began to put a stop on lessons also. I was kind of relieved as it validated my break on driving, since “I wouldn’t be able to have lessons anyway.”

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Fast forward to August 2020.

On a Friday evening, I was virtually joining my church’s prayer meeting. The topic was about encouragement and at the end of the meeting, my Pastor proclaimed that we would receive some sort of encouragement that weekend.

As lockdown restrictions had eased, my family and I went to my cousin’s house for her birthday the following day. This was the first time I had physically interacted with others outside my household, so it felt amazing to see everyone.

While I was there, my other cousin asked about my driving. Knowing the huge burden it was, I just responded that I’d get it sorted after uni when I was working. My cousin then insisted that “now” was the right time as I only had one more year of uni to go and had saved a lot of money during lockdown.

After that conversation, I immediately felt encouraged to pursue my driving licence again. I sent text messages to a couple of friends about driving instructors, and by the end of the weekend I had a lesson booked. This was the encouragement that my Pastor had spoken about the day before.

I also had to book my theory test again since the two years of having my previous one had run out. Thankfully, I never had trouble passing my theory test first time.

My return to driving felt like a breeze. It was as if I hadn’t had a break. Due to the backlog from the Covid-19 pandemic, it was extremely hard to book a driving test; however, I was able to get a space.

Not long after, I was back at the test centre doing my driving test for a fourth time. Despite praying that this would be my breakthrough, I ended up failing ten minutes before the end of the test. I had done a perfect left forward bay park, but felt as though the back of the car wasn’t in the bay. Therefore, I moved slightly forward and hit the barrier. When we got back to the test centre, I thought that I had failed a lot earlier; I didn’t realise I would have passed if I hadn’t hit the barrier. I was absolutely distraught.

After crying and eating McDonald’s in my bed, I decided that I was no longer going to stress about getting a licence. When God was ready for me to pass, I would pass. Instead, I was going to remain at peace and keep trying.

After putting my test on hold for a free space, I was able to book another test a couple months after. I then failed again. This was test number five; my major faults were hesitation and speed.

Back to square one, I paid to put my test on hold so I could book a test when a space was free. This was November 2020 and I was now in my final year of university. The government website stated that if I didn’t have a slot by August 2021, I would get a refund.

When August 2021 came, I had finished university and had started my first full-time job; however, I had no driving test or refund. Despite calling and emailing the DVLA, I got no response due to the backlog. Then finally in October 2021, I got a call from the DVLA. They advised that I could either get a refund or book a test in May 2022, as there was an available date. I decided to take the offer for a booked test and start my driving lessons again in March 2022.

Before the test in May, I told God that my heart’s desire was to pass, but if I didn’t, I knew that He was in control and I was at peace. To cut this long story, I ended up passing! It was my sixth attempt and I was so ecstatic that I had finally received my victory.

Passing my test when I did, worked out perfectly as I was in a position where I would be able to pay for my car instead of relying on my parents. I was also working and back at home, therefore it provided the freedom that I needed.

Each time I failed my driving test, I had different reactions. Sometimes I was optimistic and sometimes I felt shattered. However, I think my reaction to my second failed test was the best. It was the 2018 date of 9/11 and that was a reminder to just be absolutely grateful for life.

Many people pass their tests on their first or second attempts. However, many don’t. If you’re part of the latter, practice putting things into perspective. Thank God for the things you do have. Thank God that it’s a driving test and not a test about your health. Trust that when you’re supposed to have your driving licence, you’ll have it. I know it can be heartbreaking when you fail again and again, but what kept me going was knowing that I had everything I needed – a driving licence was just an added bonus. If you’re breathing and living without it, it shows that it isn’t a necessity. Yes, it’s 100% convenient, but don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re in lack. Let God lead you and when you’re meant to pass, you will.

Passing my driving test on the sixth attempt didn’t teach me about never giving up. Instead, it was an illustration of God working in His own time.